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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 1981)
Page 14 mt bai ialiun THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981 I 1 | <1 O THE SENA TOR ll THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT NEWSLETTER APRIL 1981 From the President’s Pen Vice Presidential Voices KEN JOHNSON The election dust has finally settl ed. No one is knocking at your collective needs of the student body to the faculty, administration and Regents of Texas A&M Uni versity. In the past, the University admin istration has been extremely re ceptive to student input. In the midst of changes in system philos ophy, and with the expected influx of new personnel, it is more im portant than ever that student government is maintained as a strong and viable voice for all stu dents. In the coming year, we will make every effort to address the prob lems facing all students. Specific areas of concern include: Q-drop policy, teaching vs. research, spe cial tests for graduating seniors, housing, campus traffic and park ing, and the expansion of the stu dent body beyond that of current STUDENT SERVICES — The Student Services Committee is the committee that works on specific projects that help to meet student needs. Some of the pro jects initiated in the past by Stu dent Services are: a new weight gym, extending library hours, a legal advisor for students, and lighting for the aerobics track. A lot of work done by the committee is the result of Senate bills re will suggest any changes that should improve the program. If you have any question about the Student Services Committee or ideas that the committee should consider, I would like to hear from you. My phone number is 845- 5406 and the number of the Stu dent Government office is 845- 3051. The Student Services Com mittee can do a lot of work, espe cially with your help. Chris Langford VP Student Services ferred to Student Services by the Speaker of the Senate. Last year, the committee worked on 27 bills ranging from consideration seating at A&M football games to recom mending whether or not the MSG ACADEMIC AFFAIRS — How- Basement Coffee House should dy Ags! Academic Affairs serves as sell alcohol. Still another function the liaison between administra- of the Student Services Commit- tion, faculty, and students on is- tee is to research problems that sues concerning academic arise concerning current Student policies. Because we have such Services. wide boundaries in which to work, Last year’s Student Services Com- we are looking forward to an active mittee initiated several projects and exciting year, that will carry over to the new The committee will be evaluating administration. For example, the the new shortened deadline for Q- “Eyes of Texas A&M” — Living drops to determine the feasibility Bank Project is a drive sponsored of extending the date past 25 days, by Student Services to recruit or- We will also be working to main- gan donors for the Living Bank tain senior’s exemption from finals organization. The drive, which during finals week. The commit- will be run in conjunction with the tee will work towards organizing a Aggie Blood Drive, is the first pro- central campus quiz file located in ject of this type at any college or the main library. Current dead university in the nation. The wil- week policies will be researched to lingness of Aggies to help others is determine the possibility of mak- an important tradition at A&M ing dead week strictly a period for PARENTS’ DAY ACTIVITIES — more about Parents’ Day ac- and through the Living Bank, Ag- review. Professors would not be The annual Parents’ Day activities tivities, you may pick up a printed gies can carry on the tradition by allowed to introduce any new door or calling you at all hours of facilities and teaching faculty. We the night asking for your vote. The are also committed to carrying out signs are gone, and the bulletin our business in a responsible and boards are clean for a change, professional manner. Have you given any thought to I honestly believe that the system what the past three weeks have we have here at A&M can and will you, and to represent your inter ests to the administration. We can do that best when you help too. Any suggestions you may have are welcome, and can be directed to the Academic Affairs Committee, Student Government, 216, MSC. Kathy Bartholomew, VP Academ ic Affairs EXTERNAL AFFAIRS — The External Affairs Committee is the official voice of Texas A&M at the local, state and national levels of government on all issues pertain ing to Texas A&M students. Goals for next years External Affairs Committee are separated into three major areas, the first phase will be to continue the existing programs that the committee has started this past year, such as Bus- year. Your input is both en couraged and welcome. Call or come by the Student Government office, 216 MSC. Blaine Edwards, VP External Af fairs low up on bills for legislJ 5) “NETWORK” PROCrJ Refine, research and preJ the senate a bill conceJ campus-wide inter-ol zation communication sij If you have any questions, rl tions or you need more aJ tion, please feel free tocall RULES AND REGULATIONS The Rules & Regulations Commit tee is responsible for legislation Rhonda Rhea — V.PRuleslJ concerning University Rules & Regs, The Student Body Constitu tion, By Laws, and Election Regu lations. The committee is com posed of senators, non-senators and the vice-president for Rules & Regs. The nature of the committee allocate money for various iti must be flexible in to meet student services and necessities. Ik needs. We plan to continue the committee structure that has worked well in the past. For a student who desires to make a di- FINANCE COM MITTEE-I primary purpose of the Fcl Committee is to administel year, the Finance Commite faced with some tough issue had to make some difficult! sions. I feel this comingjw been all about? Those of you who chose to exercise your voting privilege have elected a new set of student leaders. It is our responsibility to represent the work. With your support and in put, we’ll get the job done! Ken Johnson, Student Body Presi dent Parent’s Day will be held on April 24, 25, and 26 this year. According to the Par ents’ Day Committee, there are several new programs being held. One of these programs, the All- University Show, is called “Family Follies’ and features the Century Singers, Womens Chorus, and several other acts on Friday night. Saturday, the Residence Hall As- schedule of events in the Student Government Office in Rm 216 MSC, or at the information desk in Rudder. MUSTER On Tuesday, April 21, the most revered of Aggie traditions. Muster, will be held for sociation will host a reception for 78th consecutive time at Texas all parents that morning, followed A&M University. This year, in ad dition to the regular Muster Day by another reception that after noon hosted by the freshman class. The MSC will have an open house all day in the Student Pro grams Office. The annual Parents’ Day cere mony will be held on Sunday, and features the presentation of the Gathright Awards to the outstand ing student in each college, and the announcement of the Parents’ of the Year. The Ross Volunteers and the Fish Drill Team will also be on hand to perform. Each year the Parents’ Day celeb ration grows a little bit more and this year’s committee, headed by Mike Bonin, has done a great job in coordinating all of the activities. In addition to the other programs listed, there will be a barbecue given by OCA in order to get more off-campus students involved, the annual Singing Cadets concert, and the showing of the traditional film about Texas A&M “We’ve Never Been Licked ”. For those interested in finding out activities, there will be a'barbecue before the ceremony at the picnic area by Mt. Aggie. The picnic will begin at 5:00 p.m. According to Tad Jarrett, Chairman of the Mus ter Committee, it is hoped that the barbecue will bring an added atmosphere of fellowship to those who plan to attend. Tickets for the barbecue are $4.00 and are being sold at the MSC box office. The traditional Muster Ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. in G. Rollie White, and for the second year will include the special Cand lelight Ceremony. This part of the ceremony involves the lighting of a candle for each name on the roll that is called. The speaker for the 1981 Muster Ceremony will be Fred D. McClure, a former Student Body President and Singing Cadet here at A&M. McClure is presently a senior at Baylor law school, and is serving as the President of the Baylor Law School Association. offering others a chance to live. material or give lecture tests. Pro Other projects the committee will fessor evaluations will be re work on include: The Survival Kit, examined and modified to make major credit card applications for them a more effective tool for both seniors, better lighting for the ten- the student and the department nis courts, expanding the new head. This project would also work summer jobs program, and many toward the publication of answers others. to relevant questions that students Several bills have already been in- may use in class selection. The troduced that this year’s Student teaching vs. research policy will Services Committee will work on. continue to be evaluated and the The question of whether or not to resulting proposals presented to recommend recognition of frater- the deciding administrative com- nities and sororities is one of our mittees. We will also be organiz- most important issues. Because of ing a Student Academic Council the controversial nature of the is- that will enable interested persons sue, we will have to be very care- to present the student s view ful to discuss all of the pro and con points on academic issues to their arguments. After we find the best department heads and deans. The another COSGA conference and solution, we will present our rec- SAC will be the body actually pre- to work towards improved student ommendations to the senate which senting the research done by the relations. will then debate and vote on the rest of the committee to the ad- The third phase oi our committee bill. ministration and faculty. The com Another bill referred to this year’s mittee will follow up previous deficiencies in the local trarispor committee requests that an addi- work done on the listing of aca- tafion situation We are going to tion to the Health Center be demic minors on transcripts and research the teasibihty of un placed on the university’s five- the progress concerning comput- proved, economically feasible year plan. The committee will re- ing facilities. We are also interest- transportation for the Bryan/Col- search the addition, especially stu- ed in working with individual lege Station area. We also plan to dent need, and make a recommen- problems between students and look into the traffic problems dation based on our findings. Still professors; therefore we will be around College Station, another bill referred to the com- establishing a Hot Line for stu- The External Affairs committee mittee calls for a study of the stu- dents to call to report academic has a very broad base of ideas and dent financial aid program. As a problems. projects to cover next year, we are result of our study, the committee Our primary purpose is to serve sincerely looking forward to next Students vote at Sbisa Dining Hall during Spring elections. iness/Consumer relations, City rect contribution to “The Laws of hold many of the same chfflj Council liaison and research into A&M”, membership on Rules & the Northgate situation. The second area of operation for our committee deals with the strengthening of relationships with other schools throughout the southwest. We intend to work with these other schools in the areas of Student Services and other legislative matters pertain ing to us. We intend to host Regs will prove to be rewarding. Projects for ’81-’82 include: 1) necessary clarifications in: A. Scholastic Probation. B. Repetition of a course that has been failed. 2) ELECTION REG’S — Estab lishing of the election commis sion and regulations concerning elections. A. Clarification of the election goals will be to research and study commission’s power. B. Clarification of graduating seniors’ right to vote. 3) 4) for us. The issue of user-fw p have to be dealt with ini jf other than the Health Cents | UNIVERSITY RULES & Intramurals. We will haves REGS” (known as the “Blue tify to the student bod) _ Book”) — We plan on making crease in Student Service * and research carefully any | increases. Texas A&M has® est student services av the state, and it is our set (»I maintain this high quality ^ at the lowest possible cost students. The money wc is the student’s money, ® plan to spend it where it benefit the students. I y°“ I like to serve with the | Committee, or if y ou av J suggestions for improve® free to call me at 845415M in touch with me throug dent Government ott* MSC. I eagerly lookfonvjl 81-82 year, and I am excif what lies ahead. FREE SPEECH FORUM — The coordination of the new program known as free speech forum to be started in Sep tember. PROCESSING BILL PRO GRAM — Intercommittee ac tivity to help freshman senators J. Terry Smith, VP P' nan write, research, pass, and fol- mittee f motorists. tion of three-hundred dollars to Motorists would still have access provide the station with a three to buildings and parking lots along line phone system t at cou e the street, but those wishing to go use d for talk shows. e AGGIE PARK — In an update of the plan to consider an off-campus recreation area for Texas A&M students, the Student Services committee has conducted a stu dent survey. Results of the survey show that students are 85 percent in favor of an off-campus recreation area and are willing to support a cost increase in student fees. Some suggestions for park facili ties are barbecue pits, a dancing pavillion, a swimming pool, and playing fields. SPENCE STREET TO CLOSE — A bill introduced by the Stu dent Services committee to close Spence Street to through traffic was passed in the Senate recently. Currently, Spence Street is the scene of continuous heavy traffic. The bill is designed to make the street safer and more pleasant to pedestrians and bicyclists with a minimum of inconvenience to through from Ross Street to Lub bock Street would have to use Biz- zell Street. A barricade would pro bably be placed in front of the Animal Sciences Building. The Spence Street proposal would fit in with the university’s long range planning for traffic control on the main campus. PROPOSED INDEPENDENCE FOR KANM-FM — The Student Services committee will introduce two bills in the April 15 Senate meeting that, if passed, would make radio station KANM-FM an independent student organization, and will ask for funds to provide a three-line phone bank. Currently, the radio station is con sidered a branch of Student Gov- shows could feature discussions with ad ministrators, student leaders, and student groups about current is sues, and allow for immediate stu dent feedback to be broadcast. STUDENT TENANT/LAND LORD RELATIONS — Student Tenant/Landlord Relations was es tablished in order to improve the relations between off-campus stu dents and their landlords. Most problems between student tenants and landlords involve a lack of awareness on the students part. The primary emphasis of the com mittee, therefore, will be to in crease student awareness. Cur rently, the committee is actively possibility of investigating the emment. One bill would make the printing an apartment guide which station an independent organiza- will provide information about the tion with its own faculty advisor. The last monetary support the sta tion received from the university was in the Fall of’77. Since then. different apartment complexes, mobile home parks and duplexes. The proposed apartment guide will also include facts about leases Committee members vote on upcoming legislation at a Student Services trie 11 . . the Senate on February 18. The Administrators as well as members Senator Tim Ca ^ m enM the station has supported itself and what to look for in a lease. The course would be arranged by the of the External Affairs Committee sponsor, has J e through advertisement revenues, committee is researching the pos- Department of Student Affairs, have been working diligently on “Free Speech sibility of implementing a system and may be offered as soon as the revising the booklet and sugges- open forum to be ^ ^ vaHmic enrrmlex- Fall of’81. tions would be appreciated. Di- der Fountain. an d Sp" Student Body President Brad Smith and Vice President Eric Langlord discuss legislation at a recent Senate meeting. and individual and corporate grants. If the bills are passed, the station will be considered a stu dent organization, and thus be en titled to funds from bookstore pro fits and student service fees. “The only disadvantage,” says sta tion manager Todd Gross, “is that the Radio sttion would lose the buffer of Student Government in dealings with University officials.” Also to be proposed is the alloca- which rates the various complex es, based on a student opinion poll. The proposed poll will be administered next Fall. Fall of 81. uous would oe appreciated. Di- der r ounuu**- — n a na “DISCOVERING AGGIE- rect your questions or comments held during the ^ LAND Discovering Aggie- about Discovering Aggieland” to semesters ex . C jP , f] n al$ land” is a soon to be released room 216, MSC at the Student em ' ' ’ ‘‘ AGGIE TRADITIONS — The booklet containing almost every- Government office. Student Services committee ap- thing one needs to know about FREE SPEECH FORUM A proved a plan to establish a one what to do and where to go in bill recently passed the Senate credit hour course for new stu- scenic Aggieland. Included in this that will provide an open public dents interested in learning about information is a guide to various forum intended to promote the nesters empted by holiday - g clement weather. rep rei *| A Student Govemm^^r^ ative or coord 111 fon 1 ®, Ij ™™W:itor at each RmBI moderator more information JP Aggie traditions. The plan was in- restaurants, clubs hotels and free exhange of ideas^and provide Rhea, VP R&J’ eluded in a housing bill presented cleaners in Bryan/College Station, a source for campus information. Government office. 00 16. 1981